It's School Picture Day

[SamsonsMom]

WISH I had my camera this morning! It's school picture day for Issac - so I got him all dressed up, fixed his hair, made him wear his nice shoes...etc. LOL

USUALLY Issac and Samson play in the morning when I'm getting ready for work. Heck no biggie if Samson gets drool, dirt and messes up the pants a little on Issac. Issac gets dirty at school anyway. So THIS morning I get Issac all dressed and I tell him to sit on the couch NICELY and watch cartoons. Samson goes into immediate play time mode with Issac. To top it off it's all muddy outside and I know by the pawprints on my floor, Samson is a little dirty.

I give Samson a quick NO not this morning. And give him one of his chew toys instead. Samson gives me a sad look like COME ON MOM.

2 minutes go by - ISSAC calls over Samson to play. I give Issac a quick NO not this morning, watch cartoons. Issac gives me a sad look (EXACTLY the same as Samson had like COME ON MOM).

After another round or two of them taking turns trying to play - they finally just consented to just sitting by each other while Issac pet Samson. I'm sure they both thought I was the meanest Mommy this morning EVER. So cute how attached they have gotten to one another.

[Jac]

hahahaha....I can just imagine!
"C'mon Mom, don't you want the picture to look like the real me? Then I have to have Samson prints...otherwise I look like someone else's kid."

[SamsonsMom]

Well they were back to rolling around on the floor playing with each other this morning. I just find it so amazing how those two have bonded here lately. Issac said Samson was his best friend last night. And Samson plays but absolutely knows how NOT to hurt or play rough with Issac. He is so gentle while still having fun. He is especially gentle with his mouth. They have one toy they play with together. Samson never fully bites down on the toy since Issac's hand is usually on it, and watches Issac's hand and moves his mouth accordingly. I was just watching him last night and amazed by how aware Samson was of his mouth and teeth while still playing like a crazy puppy.

When we first brought Samson home, Samson didn't know what to make of Issac. I was Samson's protector and he would stick by my side. Now it's like I've adopted another 6 year old and they both just play - play - play!

[Jac]

Originally Posted by SamsonsMom

Well they were back to rolling around on the floor playing with each other this morning. I just find it so amazing how those two have bonded here lately. Issac said Samson was his best friend last night. And Samson plays but absolutely knows how NOT to hurt or play rough with Issac. He is so gentle while still having fun. He is especially gentle with his mouth. They have one toy they play with together. Samson never fully bites down on the toy since Issac's hand is usually on it, and watches Issac's hand and moves his mouth accordingly. I was just watching him last night and amazed by how aware Samson was of his mouth and teeth while still playing like a crazy puppy.

When we first brought Samson home, Samson didn't know what to make of Issac. I was Samson's protector and he would stick by my side. Now it's like I've adopted another 6 year old and they both just play - play - play!

Oh, my goodness, you made my day! How I love to hear about people first recognizing how aware these dogs are, and how much the bonding process gives toward healthy relationships.

Dogs learn by observation and they observe every twitch of our eye, every surprised look and every softening of our features...they know, before we even say anything, that they have done something we approve of or something that they shouldn't.

I have seen puppies respond to special needs children in ways that would amaze you...these are such smart and caring beings. Thanks for posting this!

[SamsonsMom]

Thank you Jac! And everybody else. I really believe without all the wonderful advice and answers to my concerns, Samson, Issac and I would not be as happy of a family as we are now. You all gave me excellent advice on how to leash train, help Samson adjust, how I should handle situations. That advice let me approach Samson in the right way.

We still have a ways to go as far as OB training - and some chewing on my walls issues ( ) - but overall I can proudly say I have a happy/well-adjusted/confident doodle.

[Jac]

[Leaf]

Originally Posted by Jac

Oh, my goodness, you made my day! How I love to hear about people first recognizing how aware these dogs are, and how much the bonding process gives toward healthy relationships.

Dogs learn by observation and they observe every twitch of our eye, every surprised look and every softening of our features...they know, before we even say anything, that they have done something we approve of or something that they shouldn't.

I have seen puppies respond to special needs children in ways that would amaze you...these are such smart and caring beings. Thanks for posting this!

I was reading (and loving) this thread and had to respond to this post. I too have noticed how wonderfully our six month old Tucker plays with my daughters. But it was really brought home to me just how special Tucker really is the other day at the playground.

There were several other children there and they all took turns running around while holding Tuck's leash. Then they would bring him over to the shade to ask him do his tricks. A a grandmother pushing a little boy in a stroller came over. We got to talking and she mentioned that her grandson was severely autistic. She had tried to see if the little boy would play, but he was upset, and crying, and kind of in his own little world not really paying attention to the beautiful day and the playground. So she just kept him in the shade in the stroller while his sister played.

Every time Tucker would come near the little boy, the boy would smile and laugh. I asked the children to make sure Tuck played in sight of the little boy. The boy was having a great time interacting with and just watching Tucker. I was so happy that Tuck could reach the little boy and help him to have fun at the park too. The most amazing part was that Tucker would go up to the boy in the stroller and his whole demeanor would change. From the romping, fetch playing, exuberant puppy, he would become quiet, and calm, and just do his tricks for the boy and nose the boy's hand gently. The two of them shared a snack of cheese doodles and continued to delight in each other's presence.

I'm still in awe of how good Tucker was with that boy.

I don't mean to hijack your thread. But I totally agree how fun it is seeing Doodles and children together. Its amazing to me how quickly they bond.

You'll have to take some family pictures of the two of them romping around playing, and muddy of course!

[SamsonsMom]

Originally Posted by Leaf

I don't mean to hijack your thread. But I totally agree how fun it is seeing Doodles and children together. Its amazing to me how quickly they bond.

Oh you sure didn't hijack anything. Your post made me teary eyed. How absolutely sweet and gentle of Tucker to approach the boy in that way. I can just imagine how delighted the boy was for some interaction - and how it must have touched the Grandmother to see her Grandson enjoying the world, people, and most especially your wonderful Doddle. I just want to give Tucker a BIG OLE HUG!!!!!!

[Jac]

Lovely...just lovely...I am so touched...thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

[MaxandMe]

Originally Posted by SamsonsMom

Oh you sure didn't hijack anything. Your post made me teary eyed. How absolutely sweet and gentle of Tucker to approach the boy in that way. I can just imagine how delighted the boy was for some interaction - and how it must have touched the Grandmother to see her Grandson enjoying the world, people, and most especially your wonderful Doddle. I just want to give Tucker a BIG OLE HUG!!!!!!

OKAY this is for sure a "makes me feel so good" post!!! i love reading about kids and doodles. My baby is now 17.5yrs old and Alivia my grandbaby is 6mos old
so she can't play with my doodles yet THO she does scream and give afake cry when max n peanut try to leave the room

sooooooooooooo NO one Hijacked anything .........if anything YOU all HIJACKED MY HEART warming it up and giving me a huge smile!!

THANK you all!!


PS know what would make this post complete? a pic of Issac w/muddy paw prints and sampson muddy and all next to him